Suzerain of the Beast (Vision Dream Series Book 3), page 39
“And that something it is leading you to, I believe, is our own icy beast,” said Lord Mathlindor, with tears in his eyes. “It is what we have been searching for since your mother took ill, Runny.”
“Every year, many go on The Hunt to find the icy beast hoping to find a legendary treasure buried with the beast,” said Lord Georveld. “But since mother’s illness, my father has been searching for the beast for a different reason. For one of its tears. The tears of the beast are said to cure any illness, any aliment, and some even believe they give the holder of a single tear complete power over his enemies.”
“For you to make the bracelet glow as it does in your hand, means that you are touched by some sort of magic,” said Lord Mathlindor.
Angelterra was not sure how to answer. To admit that she was possibly a wizard could put her and Selkeeda in jeopardy.
“I have learned some small measure of magic from the Lord Wizard of Bazzleron before he…died,” said the princess.
She could almost see the old wizard’s wrinkled face, smiling at her. She missed her old teacher and wished desperately to have him back so that she could rely on his wisdom.
“I have never heard of this wizard. But it does seem to me, that this ability of yours does not come from wizardly learning,” said Lord Mathlindor. “Lady Angelterra, I beseech you, to come with us on The Hunt. Take us to the cavern of the icy beast. Lead us there for Lady Ginnea’s sake.”
These people would help her find the beast and its tears. And she would know if these were the white tears of her vision dream. She needed to know. They all needed the tears.
“I will guide you to the icy beast,” agreed Angelterra. “But first, I must go to Gelidus’fera to see if I can find my ward’s family.”
“I will take you there tomorrow morning,” said Lord Georveld.
“Yes, yes, that will allow me to pack all of my scrolls and maps. Your bracelet might point us in the right direction, but we will still need the maps and the lore to find and work the door to the hidden cavern,” said Lord Mathlindor.
The sound of something shattering on the wooden floor caused everyone to turn towards the still-open doors. There stooped a woman holding a clay pitcher in one hand, while trying to gather up the fragments of a broken mug, which rested in a small puddle of liquid.
“I am so sorry. I am sorry. I am so sorry, My Lords,” apologized the woman, her eyes darted around as if she was expecting to be beaten by everyone in the room. “I will have this cleaned up right away. I am so sorry. I shall just be a moment.”
“Nylonvell, Nylonvell, settle thyself,” said Lord Mathlindor. “You have only cracked a piece of dried and fired dirt. And I doubt my floor has sustained any real damage.”
“I am sorry, My Lords,” replied Nylonvell. The woman started to leave.
“Leave the pitcher with us, Nylonvell. I have mugs here enough for everyone,” said Lord Mathlindor.
“Of course, My Lord,” said Nylonvell, and she set the heavy pitcher down on a table and scurried out of the room.
Angelterra happened to glance over at Selkeeda. The young girl watched the woman depart with an angry frown upon her small face. The princess wondered if the noise of the breaking mug had disturbed the cat, though the fat animal seemed to be asleep in the girl’s lap.
❖ ❖ ❖
“Do not worry. We are going to find your home, My Sweetie,” said Angelterra to Selkeeda as she wrapped a scarf around the girl’s head and checked to make sure her cloak was fastened tightly. “You know, in Gelidus’fera. In Fera.”
Selkeeda shook her head no.
“It is not far from here,” Lord Georveld assured the little girl. “We will be there long before the noon.”
Selkeeda suddenly hugged the princess in a desperately tight grip.
“No, no, no,” the girl repeated.
Angelterra thought her heart was going to break. She too did not want to go on this trip. She found she loved this wild-haired little child and did not want to part from her…but it had to be done.
Selkeeda belongs to her family…
“It will be fine, my Sweetie,” said Angelterra.
The princess wiped a stray tear from the little girl’s eyes and took her hand and started for the front door of the manor house. Outside, they were greeted by Helva, wearing a cloak and big felt hat and having a worried look on her face.
“What is it?” asked Lord Georveld.
“Nylonvell, My Lord,” said Helva. “She did not show at the manor this morn. I just came from the little cottage that used to be Sethabell’s where we gave her lodging and…and she has gone.”
“Gone?” wondered Lord Georveld. “You mean on an errand?”
“No, My Lord. None of her things are there,” said Helva, shaking her head. “I fear she has gone and left us for good.”
“That is odd,” said Lord Georveld, perplexed. “Though she had only recently joined my household, she seemed very responsible and with letters from three southern lords testifying to her character.”
“Aye, My Lord,” agreed Helva, looking equally perplexed. “She was a hard worker in the short time she was here.”
“I shall watch for her on our way to Gelidus’fera,” said Lord Georveld. “Meanwhile, say nothing to the rest of the staff. We will see if she returns on her own.”
“Yes, Runn…My Lord,” said Helva.
Angelterra followed Lord Georveld to the stables where their horses were waiting for them. Except for the few words the young lord spoke to the stable hands, Lord Georveld was quiet. Riding just in front of her was Selkeeda who was also pensive. As the manor house receded behind them, Angelterra noticed the area was surrounded by a long roughed range, populated by several snowcapped peeks. It reminded her of Palzintine.
“Those mountains remind me of home,” she tried.
“I have been through the foothills of most of the mountains you can now see,” said Lord Georveld. “Many Hwevlandarians have. The Hunt for the icy beast is a great tradition here…and so it used to be for my family. Now it is our obsession.”
“Because of your mother,” said Angelterra.
“Yes,” said the young lord. “The last hunt my father nearly died on the mountain known as the Jewel of the Suzerain.”
He pointed to the nearest set of snowcapped mountains which had a single great peek that towered above the rest. Angelterra stopped her horse, unclasped her bracelet and placed it in her open palm as she had seen the Wizard Nermindar do. The two bluish-green glowing stones did not point towards the Jewel of the Suzerain.
“That does not make sense,” said Angelterra. “With a name such as that, I thought…”
“Do not fret. Many have believed the same,” replied Lord Georveld. “It is the most searched mountain of all the mountains in Hwevlandar…and even Swevladiliona.”
“Swevladiliona?” asked Angelterra.
“There was a time when a set of ancient ruins were discovered high on a mountain in Swevladiliona. And the people of that kingdom began to believe these ruins belonged to the legendary Suzerain, supposed master of the icy beast,” explained Lord Georveld. “But in the end it turned out that the ruins were only an abandoned temple complex constructed ages ago to honor the Holy Mother Angel.”
Angelterra put back on the bracelet and hid it part way up her sleeve. They rode on for a while longer until the princess could see what appeared to be human structures in the distance.
“I think Selkeeda has fallen asleep,” said Angelterra. “Do you know anyone in Gelidus’fera?”
“The head knight, Sir Frondar, keeps a house and a garrison of knights in the town this close to the season of The Hunt,” said Lord Georveld. “In another week the town will be overflowing with men, and even families, all searching for the beast. This year it is said that King Thellvelldar will be hunting in this area.”
As they approached the town, about two-dozen soldiers made a blockade of the entrance to the town, questioning all who entered. A great banner flew over the soldiers. The banner was that of a silhouette of a woman with wings reaching down to crown a young boy. It was the banner of the king of Hwevlandar.
“It appears His Majesty has already arrived here,” noted Angelterra.
They remained on horseback while they waited in a line of people wishing to enter Gelidus’fera. It was a long line and many who waited escorted large pack animals laden with supplies for The Hunt.
“I will speak for us, Lady Angelterra,” whispered Lord Georveld. “The agents of the king are highly suspicious of foreigners.”
“I trust the wisdom of your judgement, My Lord,” replied the princess.
When it was their turn, Lord Georveld halted before the small table the soldiers had hastily placed in the middle of the road leading into town.
“State thy business in Gelidus’fera,” said the captain, sitting behind the table.
The young lord slowly removed his fur glove and from the folds of his cloak he removed a single scroll. He unrolled the scroll. Angelterra could see a large wax seal upon it and very beautifully penned lettering. The captain nodded to one of his men to retrieve the document. After scanning the parchment, the captain gave it back to the soldier to return to the young lord.
“It is in order, Lord Georveld. You may enter,” said the captain. “Now I need to see letters from the woman and child.”
“They are with me. That should be enough,” said Lord Georveld, sounding annoyed by the request.
“Normally, my Lord, that is true,” said the captain, without emotion. “But His Majesty has insisted that all who enter must have letters identifying their house or their lord. If she does not, she will have to report to the camp outside of town.”
Angelterra could tell that she was not the first without papers, and she looked to an area just outside of the town where there were dozens of tents. There was a hastily constructed fence around the area and soldiers placed every fifty feet or so. It looked more like a prison than a hunting camp. Some of the guards gestured for her to get out of line and make her way over to the camp.
“This is an outrage!” growled Lord Georveld, obviously not used to his newly acquired authority being questioned.
The captain did not seem to take issue with the young lord’s protest and shrugged.
“King’s orders,” said the captain.
Angelterra saw the anger building up in Lord Georveld. The princess was disappointed, but they would just have to return to this town after The Hunt season had passed. But first they had to try to get back out of here. She glanced over at him and cleared her throat to get his attention. She shook her head. He took a deep breath to calm himself. After a moment, he nodded that he was ready to leave.
“Then we shall go fetch their letters and return,” said Lord Georveld.
The two of them picked up their reins and were about to turn their mounts and leave when the captain said, “She will have to go the camp to be questioned first.”
Then a large knight with graying at his temples and wearing chain mail under a partially opened cloak lined in white rabbit fur came towards them with a raised hand.
“Runny! Runny, my lad, where are you going?” hollered the knight.
“Sir Frondar,” said the captain, standing up quickly in respect.
“What is going on here, Captain?” demanded Sir Frondar. “Why are you detaining this lord? He comes from a high family here in the North?”
“We are not, Sir Frondar,” said the captain, nervously. “But the woman with him has no letter.”
“If Lord Georveld vouches for her, then that is enough,” said Sir Frondar.
“But His Majesty’s orders are to not let—” started the captain.
“I know what the orders are, Jeffen. If I vouch for this lord and lady as citizens of Hwevlandar, what say you then, Jeffen?” asked Sir Frondar. The knight stared menacingly at the captain.
“If you take responsibility then she may pass…in your care, of course, Sir Frondar,” said the captain.
“Then Lady…?” Sir Frondar looked at Lord Georveld for help.
“This is Lady Angelterra. She is my…my betrothed,” said the young lord.
Angelterra shot the young lord a puzzled look.
“Well, Runny, you sly dog!” exclaimed Sir Frondar. “You waste no time after becoming lord of the manor! Then Lord Georveld and his lovely betrothed, Lady Angelterra, are under my responsibility, Captain.”
“Funny, the two of you do not act like you are betrothed,” said the captain, suspiciously.
“He shall have all my affections when my parents have agreed to the bride price and set the date,” said Angelterra. Then she smiled and batted her eyes at the young lord.
The captain and his men chuckled softly.
“You will have a handful, my lord, with that one,” replied the captain, relaxing his guard. “So I will note it for His Majesty that Sir Frondar has vouched for you two.”
“Right then. Come Runny, let us go to my home and celebrate this news with some ale!”
❖ ❖ ❖
They arrived at Sir Frondar’s home and a stable lad came out and took their horses, while the knight went inside for a bit. He came to the front door and beckoned for them to come in. As the three of them entered and started down a long hallway, Sir Frondar stopped, wheeled around and barred their way.
“Runny, by the Mother Angel’s mercy, what are you trying to do?” said the older knight, with a stern, frowning face. “Get us all thrown into the dungeon?”
“What do you mean, Frondy?” asked Lord Georveld.
“You know exactly what I mean. She is no more your betrothed then Maiden Lassdeira is,” countered Sir Frondar.
“Maiden Lassdeira!” exclaimed the young lord. “That spinster woman is older than you and I together!”
“You are correct in your guess, cunning knight,” said Angelterra. “We are not betrothed. My Lord has offered to escort me here in order to help me find the parents of this young girl. She does not speak much but I believe…no I hope she may be from this town.”
“I see,” said the knight softly. He stooped to one knee before Selkeeda, took off her scarf and regarded her for a long time, looking her over from top to bottom. He stood up again and looked directly at Angelterra and shook his head that she was not. “I know everyone in this town. None are missing a child. And her features do not resemble anyone here. I am sorry. Does she know her family name?”
“No,” whispered Angelterra.
Now what was she to do with this poor child?
She must find some home for her. Her Selkeeda was a beautiful, precious child, a child that anyone would be more than happy to add as a family member.
“How did you come across her?” asked the older knight.
Angelterra told Sir Fondar the story of how the girl came walking out of the woods alone. And how she first believed the girl was from the town of Catsfang and finally Gelidus’fera.
“Mommy,” said Selkeeda.
Angelterra looked down and saw the little girl was reaching up for her. Instinctively, the princess picked up Selkeeda and began straightening out her cloak and petting down her wild blonde hair, which seemed to always have a mind of its own.
“Wait here, and I will go ask Meljellian, who tends our tiny orphanage if she knows anything more about this child,” said the older knight. “But it looks to me as if this girl has already found a family…in you, Lady Angelterra.”
After the knight left, Angelterra, Lord Georveld and Selkeeda sat in a small room with a large fireplace, in which was a hearty fire. Selkeeda acted as if she sensed that something about her future was being decided by her continued clinging to Angelterra’s neck. During this whole journey, the princess had been trying to put out of her mind the possibility that she would end up keeping the traumatized little angel as her own. But a Palzintine royal cannot just pick up stray children to bring into the House of Palzinel. Angelterra had her duty to her family’s lineage and to her people’s notion of succession. They would not understand her bringing back this little girl. Angelterra stared into the child’s wide blue eyes and her duty melted away. All she could do was to kiss the girl gently on the forehead. Now it was not just the girl’s future that was uncertain. The princess’s future was becoming muddier and muddier as well. There were currents greater than she that were taking her to places she would never have imaged she would go to in a million years. This tiny girl was just another swirling mystery that was pulling her life in yet another direction.
Where it would all lead? Angelterra had no idea.
The princess thought perhaps she should not fight this current, but go along for the ride to see where it takes her.
❖ CHAPTER 37 ❖
THEY FOLLOWED AN alleyway behind the largest building in town, the Hunter’s Guild Hall. It was required that any individual wishing to participate had to paid a fee to the guild for a writ granting them the right to hunt for the icy beast during the official week of The Hunt. Without the writ you could be arrested for not paying the fee. Lord Georveld explained this to Angelterra in whispers as they quietly made their way out of Gelidus’fera. Sir Frondar pointed out that this was the best way for them to escape the town without being seen or challenged again. Lord Georveld walked along the alley, holding the reins of both horses, while the princess and Selkeeda rode.
“I am sorry that Frondy…I mean Sir Frondar could not help you,” said the young lord. “It appears the little girl is yours for now.”
“Yes,” replied Angelterra staring off down the alleyway. She felt Selkeeda lean against her and lift her small head to look up at the princess.
“Momma,” whispered the little girl.
“Shhh, my Sweetie,” answered Angelterra. “We will be back to the manor house soon.”
The alley abruptly ended at the start of the woods. Thick trees with low-lying branches seemed to bar their way. Lord Georveld searched a bit for the narrow exit point. When he found it, he had to yank hard on the reins to get the horses to walk through what appeared to be a solid wall of branches.
